Ki Tisa Audio Classes

Why does G-d, in this week's Torah portion, not only agree with Moses, that he did the right thing in breaking the Tablets of Stone, but even praises him? Thus implying that there is something inherently positive in the act of breaking the Tablets.

Less than forty days after experiencing divine revelation at Sinai, the Jewish people sin in worshiping the golden calf. It seems inexplicable that they completely deny G-d after all they had just experienced.

In this portion, we read G-d's Thirteen Attributes of Mercy: "G-d, G-d, compassionate G-d and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in kindness and truth, preserver of kindness for two thousand generations. " In the word "notzar" (preserver of kindness) the letter nun is unusually large. Later in the portion, G-d prohibits the Jews from serving "another god." The letter reish in the word "acher" (other) is also unusually large. What is the meaning of these large letters?

According to Jewish law, one must wash each morning before prayers just like the priests would wash before performing their service in the Holy Temple. What is the difference between washing for holiness and washing for purity? (Based on Likutei Sichos vol. 31, p. 184.)